2007 Copa Libertadores Final vs Grêmio
Six stars were born in the fire of a brutal two-legged war against Grêmio.
The 2007 Copa Libertadores Final stands as a defining chapter in Boca Juniors' storied history, marking their sixth title in South America's premier club competition. This two-legged final pitted the Argentine giants against Brazil's Grêmio, culminating in a dramatic aggregate victory that cemented Boca's status as a continental powerhouse during the late 2000s.
Played under immense pressure at La Bombonera and the Estádio Olímpico Monumental, the series showcased Boca's legendary defensive resilience paired with clinical attacking prowess. The triumph was particularly sweet as it secured the club's place among the elite of South American football, reinforcing the legacy of manager Alfio Basile and a squad filled with future icons.
- Competition
- Copa Libertadores
- Finals Format
- Two-legged aggregate
- Boca Juniors Coach
- Alfio Basile
- Key Goal Scorer (First Leg)
- Juan Román Riquelme
- Key Goal Scorer (Second Leg)
- Martín Palermo
- Aggregate Scoreline
- 3-1
Lore & Background
The road to the 2007 final was paved with Boca's characteristic grit. Having navigated a treacherous group stage and eliminated tough opponents like River Plate and LDU Quito, Boca arrived at the final as the team to beat in Argentina but faced a formidable Grêmio side led by the experienced coach Mano Menezes. The first leg in Porto Alegre was a tense, physical affair where Boca's defense, anchored by César Sempere and Hugo Ibarra, neutralized the Brazilian attack until Juan Román Riquelme delivered a moment of magic to secure a crucial away victory.
The return leg at La Bombonera transformed into a cauldron of noise and emotion. The stadium vibrated with the roar of the '12th man' as Boca needed only a draw to seal the trophy, yet they played with the aggression of a team seeking a second goal. Martín Palermo, the eternal hero of the club, scored a decisive header that silenced any hope for Grêmio and ignited a celebration that would echo through the decades. This victory was not just about adding another star; it was a statement of Boca's enduring dominance in an era where Argentine clubs were reasserting their supremacy over Brazilian rivals.
In Their Own Story
The air inside La Bombonera hung heavy, thick with the scent of smoke, sweat, and twenty thousand voices screaming in unison. The clock ticked past the 80th minute; the aggregate score held at 1-0 from Porto Alegre, yet the tension was a physical weight pressing against every chest. Then, a cross sliced through the humid Buenos Aires night from the right wing, hanging suspended like a promise. Martín Palermo rose above the tangled defenders, eyes locked on the leather sphere, and with a thunderous header, he drove it into the back of the net. The eruption that followed wasn't just sound—it was a tectonic shift, shaking the very foundations of the stadium as destiny was sealed in gold for the sixth time.
Reader's Guide
The 2007 Copa Libertadores Final unfolded as a brutal two-legged war between Boca Juniors and Grêmio. The first leg at Estádio Olímpico Monumental on June 13, 2007, was a tactical grinder defined by defensive rigidity until Juan Román Riquelme shattered the deadlock with a surgical free-kick, securing a vital away victory.
Four days later, the return leg at La Bombonera became an electric cauldron. Needing only a draw to lift the trophy, Boca played with ferocious intensity, refusing to settle for a stalemate. Martín Palermo's decisive header in the second half silenced any lingering Brazilian hopes, cementing a 2-0 aggregate triumph that echoed through the decades.
Did You Know?
- This was Boca Juniors' sixth Copa Libertadores title, tying them with Independiente as one of the most successful clubs in the competition's history at the time.
- Juan Román Riquelme scored a spectacular free-kick in the first leg that is still considered one of the greatest goals in Libertadores final history.
- The victory came exactly one year after Boca lost the 2006 final to Internacional, making the redemption complete for the squad and its fans.
- Martín Palermo's winning goal in the second leg was his 13th goal in Copa Libertadores matches, further cementing his status as a club legend.